Many students will visit Ms. Michelle Luraschi in the College and Career Center if they want to be a freshman at a university next year.

But this year, it’s Luraschi who is the freshman.

Luraschi will serve as the College and Career Coordinator at Pattonville High School.  She previously served as a counselor and associate professor at Southwestern Illinois College.

Though this is her first year at Pattonville, she already has a lot of experience from working at Southwestern Illinois College, Webster University, and East St. Louis High School.

“I went to Fox High School in Arnold, Missouri, and then went to Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri,” Luraschi said. “I got my masters degree from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.”

She found her interest in working with students by working a summer job.

“At first I wanted to be a lawyer, then I found out what it was really like,” Luraschi said. “I had a summer job working with high school students and I fell in love with it.”

She said she loves when former students come back to visit and to see all of the success they have achieved.

“I enjoy learning about the students’ interests and their career goals, and helping them find a path to achieve.”

Luraschi replaces Ms. Julie Kampschroeder who took a position outside of the Pattonville School District.